Parc Taf Bargoed is a countryside park and is managed to
encourage wildlife. This means, unlike the amenity
parks in the borough, large areas of Parc Taf Bargoed are kept wild
to benefit nature. The park's species list boast 77 species of
birds and 19 species of butterflies. If you are interested in
getting involved in wildlife surveys on the park, have a look at
the volunteer section or
contact the wardens at the
Pavilion.

Habitats

Reedbeds

The park's
reedbeds are vitally important as they provide an area of habitat
that is very scarce in the UK. Reedbeds have disappeared on a
national scale as traditional industries of thatching and basket
weaving have all but disappeared, meaning many reedbeds have been
allowed to go to wrack and ruin. This of course has led to a
massive decrease in the bird species that depend on this habitat,
such as the reed warbler, sedge warbler and water rail, all of
which have been recorded on the park.

Even more
important for the park, however, is the ability of reeds to act as
natural water purifiers. As part of the redevelopment of the valley
the Coal Authority devised a water treatment scheme, which utilises
reed beds as a way of filtering iron ochre and other impurities
from the water. The scheme, which is one of the largest of its type
in Europe, is on the former site of the Taff Merthyr Colliery and
consists of four large settlement lagoons, 16 reed beds and 100,000
individual plants. Water pumped up from the old flooded mineshaft
is rich in iron ochre, giving it an orange appearance which can
clearly be seen in the lagoons that run alongside the path. A
pumping system aerates the water, promoting oxidation of iron which
settles out in the open lagoons, before the water is passed into
the reedbed system, where the plants filter out any remaining iron
ochre. After passing through a number of different reedbeds, the
water is returned the Taff Bargoed River, which feeds the lakes, as
pure and clean water. Without the reedbed system, the lakes would
be heavily polluted, devoid of life and unsuitable for human
use.

Rivers, lakes and wetland.

The two
lakes on the park were created when the previously submerged Afon
Bargoed Taf was returned to the surface after the closure of the
mines that used to dominate the site.

The water from the lakes continues through a system of
cascades, which have the potential to be harnessed in a
hydroelectricity scheme, and are a real feature when in full flow.
This provides excellent fast water habitat for dippers, of which 3
pairs have been recorded nesting under the park's bridges. These
birds have been the subject of surveys by students from Cardiff
University.

The health
of the river and lakes is indicated by the presence of otter,
kingfisher, toad, frog and newt on the park. We have even had a few
possible sighting of water vole, a very rare species! These
creatures only thrive where the water quality is of a very high
standard.

Tree
beds

Fenced
tree beds cover a large area of the site and provide excellent
habitat for passerine bird species and mammals. Tree species
include, ash (Fraxinus
excelsior), oak (Quercus sp.), hawthorn
(Cratagus monogyna),
blackthorn (Rhamnus
catharticus), hazel (Corylus acellana), holly
(Ilex aquifolium),
willow (Salix sp.),
alder (Alnus
glutinosa) and silver birch (Betula pendula). The
understory is made up of crab-apple (Malus sylvestris), gorse
(Ulex sp.) dog rose
(Rosacanina) and bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg).
The wardens of the park carry out a yearly bird nest record scheme
and have found nests of song thrush, goldfinch, chaffinch,
long-tailed tit, greenfinch and blackbird in the tree beds,
illustrating how important this habitat is to our resident
birds.

Grassland

A change
to the grass cutting programme on the park has seen a marked
increase in the number and range of wildflower species. The banks
alongside the top lakes, which were previously cut five or six
times a year, are now left untouched until the Autumn, long after
they have seeded. This will result in a wider range of plant
species which is beneficial for insects such as butterflies and
bees. The tall grass swathe will also benefit other insects such as
beetles, flies and bugs. A similar programme has been agreed with
the Coal Board for the banks of the reedbeds, which are teeming
with insects during the summer

Woodland

There is a
small section of adjoining Barri Woods which extends onto the park.
This mature woodland is ideal for a range of species, including
birds, mammals and plants. Similar, habitat can be found running
very close to the lakeside boundaries of the park, which greatly
benefits wildlife.

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